A Christmas Carol, Which Version Do You Like Best?

[Allhallowsday]

All good choices, JASE, though I don't care for the REGINALD OWEN version (it's too "Hollywood" and hardly faithful.)  I certainly agree it's "lesser."  That animated version you refer to is superb. 
The 1951 ALASTAIR SIM version is the best, by far. 

[wanderarbeiter]

I have yet to see a version that trumps "A Muppet Christmas Carol". Everything is better with Muppets.

[Ozzymandias]

Ozzymandias speaks: I like most versions already mentioned, but how many remember a TV special from the 70's called (I believe) Grand Ole Opry Christmas Carol with Hoyt Axton (Scrooge), Mel Tillis (Cratchet), Tom T. Hall (Marley) and Minnie Pearle (the ghost of Christmas Past). Maybe I dreamed this.

Also, there was a show called "George Burns Comedy Theater" had an episode with James Whitmore as Scrooge, who had become to loose with his money. The ghost try to turn him back around. One sequence featured Ed Begley Junior as a gay Tiny Tim filing for Chapter 11.

Scariest prophecy (for me at least) is the WKRP Christmas Carol. Johnny is the ghost of Christmas to come. He shows Mr. Carlson that in the future WKRP is just a big computer run by Herb. His sales calls are prerecorded, just like every thing else on WKRP. The radio industry hasn't started prerecording the sales calls...yet.

Ozzymandias has spoken!!!

[The Burgomaster]

The Alastair Sim version is my favorite, followed by the musical version with Albert Finney.  I saw the Albert Finney one when I was a kid during its original theatrical run.  I thought the scene where Scrooge goes to hell and gets chained up by the guys in black hoods was sort of scary.  For several years they edited this scene out when they showed the movie on television, but I think they show it in its entirety now.  I also have the DVD and I watch it at least once every year.

[Doggett]

Muppets Christmas Carol.
There is no equal.

[bladerunnerblues]

The only one I will watch is Mr Magoo.

[Newt]

Another vote for SCROOGE (1951) With Alistair Sim.  And for the Muppet Christmas Carol.

[The Burgomaster]

Actually, the book is the best version.  Did anyone mention that one yet? 

[trekgeezer]

Patrick Stewart did a TV version for TNT back 1999 and it's a pretty good effort at the classic tale.  It was shot in England.


http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0216621/

Stewart also does a one man stage show where he plays all the characters.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMvl0UTY3ho

[Frogger]

Muppets Christmas Carol.
There is no equal.

One of the most enjoyable to watch. 

[BoyScoutKevin]

While I've seen most of the live action versions, and enjoyed them, my favorites are a couple of the lesser known, relatively speaking, animated versions. First . . .

"Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol'

While the voice talent--Jim Backus, Jack Cassidy, Royal Dano, June Foray, Morey Amsterdam, and the late, great Paul Frees--is quite good, what makes this one for me are the songs. There are so many types of songs, and they're mostly quite good.

There is the humor of a "Ringle, Ringle" and "We're Despicable." the sadness of "Winter Was Warm" and "Alone in the World," and the joyeousness of "The Lord's Bright Blessing." The only song that I dislike is the first song, "It's Great to Be Back on Broadway," which is sometimes cut out of the showing on TV.

All this and some nice humor, and it works as well as any of them for me.

The second is . . .

"Mickey's Christmas Carol"

Here it is the cast, which includes . . .

Scrooge as Scrooge
Donald as Scrooge's Nephew
Daisy as Belle
Mickey as Bob Cratchit
Minnie as Mrs. Cratchit
Goofy as Marley
Jiminy Cricket as the Ghost of Christmas Past
The Giant as the Ghost of Christmas Future. The one who couldn't say: "Pist- Pist- Green gravy."
Pete as the Ghost of Christmas Future
Toad as Fezziwig

All that, plus cameos by Badger; The Big Bad Wolf;  Chip 'n' Dale;  Clarabelle the Cow; Grandma Duck;  Horace Horsecollar; Huey, Dewey, and Louie; Madame Clara Cluck; Mole and Rat; The 3 Little Pigs; and The Weasels, and you have almost anybody who was anybody in a Disney cartoon.

The fun then becomes seeing how many you can remember.

[CheezeFlixz]

Frankly, I prefer the book but other than that the Alsitair Sim version.

[ds21]

Muppet Christmas Carol ;)

Seriously... that's the one I prefer.  It's sad, I know... but...